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Anyone had relief with massage or a flare related to PMR?
Hello,
A bit about me: I had PMR 8 years ago, I could not take prednisone due to side effect - I have very sensitive stomach and ulcer history, I was taking Zyflamend supplement only, but year later doctor who diagnosted me with PMR changed his mind and told I reacted too slow to prednisone - instead of 3 days good reaction I felt better in 8-9 days switched me to fibromyalgia diagnosis. I still think I had PMR - terrible stiffness: shoulder, hips, back, could not get dressed etc. But I was lucky I got over it without prednisone in probably 18-20 months. Now seems it came back. My SED rate is 43, pain all over: back, shoulder, arms, hips, fatigue, stiffness. My question is if any of you had relief with massage, or can massage get flare up even worse? And second question i planned to do Shingrix vaccine this week, and now I have some reservation, may vaccine do harm even more? Please respond.
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Welcome @malin70, I have never heard of massage therapy helping with PMR but maybe others have. Massage would probably have been that last thing I wanted to try with both of my occurrences with PMR. Since you mentioned your doctor changed your diagnosis to fibromyalgia one year later there is another discussion that mentions Myofacial Release Therapy (MFR) has been used to help a lot of different condtions including fibromyalgia. Here's a link to the discussion - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/.
I'm wondering if your doctor may have been correct to change your diagnosis since PMR is sometimes difficult to diagnose and their are other conditions that mimic PMR.
-- Diseases that mimic polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR): https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/diseases-that-mimic-polymyalgia-rheumatica
Have you asked your doctor about getting the Shingrix vaccine while you are still having PMR like symptoms and an elevated SED rate?
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3 ReactionsI get massages. I think it helps. It feels wonderful during the massage.
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2 ReactionsI find that getting a massage helps. My arms and legs feel tense and the massage works that out. Plus the stiffness in my neck is relieved. I'm lucky enough to live where there is an Oriental Medicine College close by and the massages are very reasonable. Maybe try it once and see if it helps. Wish you luck!
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2 ReactionsHi,
My doctor seems it’s Ok to have Shingrix vaccine done while I’m off prednisone
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1 ReactionYour sed rate seems to be indicating inflammation. Fribromyalgia isn't an inflammatory disease. Your symptoms sure do sound like PMR. Maybe the prednisone didn't act quickly enough because you weren't on a high enough dose. I think I'd look for a second opinion. There are things you can do for your stomach. Enteric coated prednisone. PPI's and H2 inhibitors (Prevacid and Pepcid AC) Not taking pred on an empty stomach. Good luck.
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